THE ECHO continues to support initiatives which help young people and their families on Merseyside.

The ECHO Community Golf Tour – in partnership with Liverpool City Council’s Municipal Golf Courses – has now come to a successful conclusion.

The project was unique and the only one of its kind in the UK to use golf as a medium to promote a healthier, more active lifestyle to children and families across Merseyside.

It also brought families together to learn the skills required to play the game of golf so they could continue to enjoy the sport as a family unit. Starting in June and finishing at the end of August the tour visited 12 venues in total, taking golf out into the community by using a variety of Lifestyles Fitness Centres located in the heart of Liverpool’s diverse communities, breaking down barriers to access such as transport and cost.

The youngest participant was just three years of age and the oldest over eighty. All participants embraced the project with mums and dads bringing along their children, as well as grandparents with their grandchildren.

A staggering 406 people took advantage of the free 15 minute lessons with PGA professionals and a round of golf at one of Liverpool’s two municipal courses; Allerton and Liverpool North. More than 600 people took part in the project overall.

Mike Dobbie, from Walton, said: “Golf is a great way for me to spend more time with my son Joseph through the summer holiday. Joseph is also able to go to Allerton Golf Course with his grandfather Arthur. Golf truly is a family sport.”

The tour culminated in a family fun day with more than 200 people participating in free golf lessons and enjoying the barbecue.

There was nutritional advice and demonstrations from the Sportslinx Nutritional Team and a tailor-made yoga for golf session by the North West Pilates Centre. The day came to a fitting end with a Trick Shot Show by world record holder David Edwards, who amazed the crowds.

Golf development manager Jason Dolman said: “The tour has been a fantastic partnership with the Liverpool ECHO and it’s great that some of the families that attended are choosing to continue to play the sport. This is a real achievement in terms of changing people’s lifestyles to become more active.”

For more Echo in the Community information contact Litza Gorman on 0151 472 2352 or email echo.enquiries@liverpool.com or visit www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/myecho.